Welcome to Permits Foundation

We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation campaigning globally to improve work permit regulations to make it easier for partners of expatriate staff to gain employment during an international assignment.

Since our start-up in 2001, we have been progressively successful in influencing change throughout the European Union, as well as in the USA and Asia (Hong Kong, India, Japan and Malaysia). Almost 30 countries now allow accompanying spouses or partners to work. We continue to promote best practice and monitor legislative improvements in all these countries, as well as setting up new projects (for example, in Brazil and Indonesia) in our global campaign.

Our surveys show that governments that allow partners to work attract highly skilled employees associated with international business, investment and development; creating a ‘triple win’ for host countries, employers and families alike.

HOST COUNTRIES:

"Family members should be allowed to work throughout the assignment. This will make the EU more attractive to highly skilled foreign workers and improve equality in our society."

– Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Member of the European Parliament

EMPLOYERS:
"Convincing governments to relax work permit regulations for partners will help to attract the best international employees. That’s good for families, good for business and good for host countries."

– Peter Voser, Former Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell Plc

FAMILIES:
"It’s important to have the choice to work. Even if we decided to focus on my spouse’s career, it is very important for us not to neglect my own career."